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The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), recently announced a collaboration with Twitter to live stream ONE Championship bouts on the platform, starting with five matches from ONE: KINGS OF COURAGE, set for 20 January at the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia.

Twitter will be the exclusive live stream platform for two matches from the main card (Victorio Senduk vs Yohan Mulia Legowo, and Yusup Saadulaev vs Masakazu Imanari), and will also broadcast all three preliminary matches live. The bouts will be available for free to logged-in and logged-out users on Twitter and on connected devices globally through @ONEChampionship.

ESPN announced recently at the Television Critics Association Press Tour (TCA) that the network has teamed up with Kobe Bryant’s studio, Granity Studios, on a new show called Detail – written, produced and hosted by Bryant. The basketball analysis show will premiere in March 2018 on ESPN and will provide insights from one of the greatest players of all time.

In Detail, viewers will experience unparalleled game observations from Bryant as if he were one of the players featured in an ESPN game played the day before. As one of this generation’s leading basketball minds, Bryant will provide a perspective aimed at helping young athletes, players and coaches see the game in a different way.

“Studying game film is how the best get better. It’s the university for a master’s degree in basketball.” said Bryant. “I learned how to study film from the best coaches of all time – Phil Jackson and Tex Winter. Detail provides an opportunity to teach that skill to the next generation on large platform with ESPN.”

Detail will have a 15-episode run and will air during the back half of the 2017-2018 NBA season, concluding with The Finals. The show is aimed at young athletes, current NBA players and coaches looking for deeper analysis of an athlete’s in-game execution.

“Having an all-time great like Kobe share the same analysis he offers current players will be a tutorial for elite athletes around the world and the ultimate inside access for viewers,” says Kevin Wildes, ESPN vice president, original content.

This is the third project for Bryant’s Granity Studios and ESPN. During the 2016-2017 NBA season, Bryant partnered with the network for a limited run of Canvas City, which aired on ESPN’s NBA Countdown show. This season, he has provided short packages to the network called MuseCage Basketball Network (MBN). MBN has aired two of its 10-episode commitment this season.

Both Russell Westbrook’s playing and personal style have a unique flare. Behind each, there is balance between a meticulous attention to detail and a no fear attitude. That’s because since high school, both on and off court, Westbrook has followed a simple guiding principle: “If I face a challenge, I run at it — not away from it,” he says.

That outlook is captured by a personal mantra, “Why Not?” It defines how Westbrook plays, how he dresses and now, especially with his first signature performance shoe, the Jordan Why Not Zer0.1, how he shares his story.

“As a kid growing up in LA and standing in line to get other people’s shoes, you become aware of how fortunate you are to get sneakers,” he says. “To be able to sit here now and hold my own shoe is an honor.”

Crafted for the dynamic game and personality of the reigning MVP and fashion king, the Jordan Why Not Zer0.1 is highlighted by its smooth vamp, which, fitting for Westbrook, offers dual purpose. First and foremost, it serves the MVP’s key footwear need: forefoot containment. Westbrook plays high on his toes, always ready to push to the hoop or convert a rebound or steal into a fast break. For this, he needs stability over the sole unit, such that no added movement minimizes response when shifting direction or getting maximum bounce to the rack. Combining his style, specific performance needs and Jordan Brand soul, the end result is a futuristic silhouette that features a fused mesh upper, full-length Zoom Air unit and a compression-molded pylon foam piece engineered for flight.

Behind the scenes, Westbrook works closely with Jordan designers and the Thunder equipment manager, Wilson Taylor, to ensure his feedback is clear and concise. “Russ is a detail-oriented guy. He picked up on every little thing [when testing the shoe],” shares Taylor.

After every wear test, Taylor is responsible for relaying Westbrook’s thoughts back to the Jordan team. “After each test, he’d share some feedback. He’d tell me ‘see if they can do this. See if they can extend the padding here.’ It was a good process,” he says.

That part of the process, the dialing of the fit and feel, is elementary for Westbrook. He wants things comfortable. He wants supreme confidence in his tools, even if it requires getting into the weeds. “The biggest part is the amount of comfort and security the shoe provides,” he says. “It allows me to move and jump at a fast pace, something that I think is very, very important.”

Of course, looking good is important too. That’s where the second element of footwear design, adding personal style, comes into play.

“My favorite part of the design process is storytelling,” says Westbrook. “Being able to tell my story through colorways and at different times during the season is a lot of fun.”

Westbrook debuted a PE version of the Mirror Image colorway on court. This colorway exhibits the pleasure Westbrook derives from sharing a narrative. Its upper is plastered with images referencing a heavily postered room, and shows how sporting icons are celebrated over generations. “Allowing me to have my own shoe is a great opportunity to tell my story, extend my Why Not? motto and explain the whole background behind it,” Westbrook says.

The official global launch colorway, 2-Way, perfectly captures both Westbrook’s game-changing presence on both sides of the court and the design’s eye-catching contrast from smooth vamp to jagged heel. Like Westbrook’s playing and off-court looks, this colorway masterfully balances a “Why Not?” approach to style and performance.

Westbrook expects to get a lot of reactions out of his shoe. “This shoe is futuristic and something that people will take a double look at,” he says.

Why Not?

The Why Not Zer0.1 launches January 15 with limited quantities of the Mirror Image colorway. The 2-Way colorway releases February 15 for $125.

Michael Jordan, basketball legend and Gatorade ambassador addressed millions of Filipino sportsmen and women in a video message that is sure to inspire basketball-loving Filipinos.

In the video, Jordan, the most decorated player to ever grace a basketball hard court, reminded Filipinos that greatness isn’t granted, it is gained, with each triumph earned through hard work, with dues paid for in blood, sweat, and tears.

“I just want to tell you young Pinoy athletes out there to keep training, keep sweating, and keep working towards your goals,” said Jordan in the video clip.

Jordan was one of the most complete basketball players. He excelled on both sides of the court – as potent a scoring machine as he was as pesky a defender.

“In a basketball crazy nation such as ours, Michael Jordan has been a true inspiration to many generations of Filipinos. As Gatorade’s first athlete ambassador, we look to continue his legacy through his unique partnership with our brand,” said Tony Atayde, Pepsico Philippines Marketing Manager for Hydration. “Gatorade’s dominance as the world’s number one sports drink is backed by contemporary sports science and has a long history of fueling sports greatness. And you don’t need to look further than Jordan for an example of that.”

Despite our vertical challenges, Filipinos passion for basketball runs deep. It is much a part of Filipino culture, and while not native to the Philippines, the sport is its most popular and its most loved. And for years, Gatorade has been fueling that love.

“Fuel your performance with the best. I believe this then, and I still believe this now. Nothing hydrates better, nothing beats Gatorade,” Jordan advises the legion of Pinoy athletes.

The NBA 2K League is a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

On Tuesday, the official logo of the NBA 2K League was revealed.

The NBA 2K League logo incorporates the colors and shape of the NBA logo and the font of the NBA 2K logo. Absent is a human silhouette, which speaks to the inclusive nature of the league and the opportunity for any type of player to try out – young or old, male or female, based domestically or abroad.

A basketball was selected as the centerpiece of the design as it represents the common thread between all NBA 2K players.

The logos of the 17 teams will be unveiled later this week.

Launching in 2018, the league will feature the best NBA 2K players in the world. Each of the league’s 17 teams will draft gamers to compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs.

The league will host tryouts in early 2018, followed by a draft in March and the season tip-off in May.

For being a role model both on and off the court, Gilas Pilipinas veteran Gabe Norwood was given his own branch of Chooks-to-Go by Bounty Agro Ventures Incorporated president Ronald Mascariñas on December 5.

Norwood, who was awarded with the first-ever Chooks-to-Go Loyalty Award last November 27, was invited to go to the Bounty headquarters in Ortigas, Pasig by BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas to celebrate the first year of the #ManokNgBayan campaign. Little did he know of the surprise Bounty had for him.

Led by Mascariñas, the staff of Bounty presented the Filipino-American with a Chooks-to-Go branch of his choosing. BAVI does not make franchising of Chooks-to-Go public, only giving it to individuals that have served the company.

“Oh wow! I did not expect any of this,” said Norwood. “This makes me want to work harder to represent the country better.”

Besides Norwood’s tenure to the program, what inclined Mascariñas to reward him is how he has been an excellent role model for Filipinos.

“Ever since he came back home back in 2007, he was always humble and kind to everyone,” the chief booster of the national team said. “That’s why this reward is not really for his years in the program. It’s really for the way he has represented the country both locally and internationally. Gabe is an individual of exemplary character.”

The founder of Chooks-to-Go initially did not want this meeting to be publicized but Bounty Sports head Mel Macasaquit pushed to do so to inspire the Filipino youth.

“Boss Ronald did not want this to go out in public but we have to show the Filipino kids that all good things will go rewarded,” said Macasaquit.

Norwood made his national team debut back in 2007 during the Southeast Asian Games. He was also part of the 2013 and 2015 teams that won silver in the FIBA Asia Championship.

‘Tis the season to yet again indulge and satisfy your cravings for heart-warming comfort food that will remind you of priceless moments and unforgettable holidays spent with those who matter the most.

This season, AG New World Manila Bay Hotel spreads the holiday cheer with indulgent stays and a sumptuous fare of holiday favorites that will set your December off to a delightful start. Plan your holiday vacation ahead and be rewarded with exclusive rates and discounts starting at PHP 4,800++.

British life insurer Pru Life UK aims to start the new year with a bang with the launch of PRUride PH 2018, expected to be one of the biggest cycling events in the Philippines.

Following the success of PRUride to London in 2016, the 2018 installment is set to gather some of the national team cyclists from the country and across Southeast Asia with two competition legs – January 11 to 14, 2018 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, and January 21 at McKinley West, Taguig.

The Ascott Limited – Philippine Cluster has been partnering with Gawad Kalinga’s “Kusina ng Kalinga” every Christmas for the past three years to provide the gift of nourishment to less privileged children in public schools, streets and conflict areas.

This year’s campaign was ushered in first by Ascott Bonifacio Global City with a tree lighting ceremony, which aims to increase awareness and maximize ways for others to help with the cause. The lobby in Ascott BGC was transformed into a Winter Wonderland with a towering Christmas tree covered in snow as well as polar bears and reindeers on display.

Guests and even non-guests can donate and help raise funds for GK’s “Kusina ng Kalinga” initiative.

“All guests or even walk-ins can lend a helping hand thru purchasing Christmas ornaments from any of our Ascott Hosts here or thru our reception area for a minimum of 100 pesos and all the proceeds will go to Kusina ng Kalinga,” said Ms. Sue Ponnudurai, General Manager for Ascott Bonifacio Global City.

“After their purchase, you may opt to place your names on the back portion or remain anonymous and hang the ornament on the Christmas tree; this minimal amount can already provide six nutritious meals so every donation counts.”

This year, the ornament is a snowflake to complement Ascott Bonifacio Global City’s theme.

For those interested in joining this cause, you may visit any of The Ascott Limited properties around Metro Manila as mentioned above. All you have to do is approach their accommodating Guest Service Officers located at their reception area and they will be able to assist in your donation. They will be accepted from November 21, 2017 until January 5, 2018. After this period, all proceeds will be turned over to Gawad Kalinga.

For further information, feel free to call their marketing department at +63 2 755 8858 or via email at ian.agbayani@the-ascott.com.